Hot wheel/bearing detection system

• US 20070138348A1
• Filed: 12/19/2005
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Bartonek, Mark
• Application Number:
  US11/305,908
• Publication Number:
  US 20070138348A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 246/169.A
• CPC Class Codes: B61K 9/06 by detecting or indicating heat radiation from overheated axles

Abstract

A casing for a hotbox detector scanner that has a detection device disposed within the casing, the casing including a top cover having a flat top horizontal surface with an opening therethrough to allow the detection device to detect a hot spot on a train, a baffle proximate the flat top horizontal surface to divert water blown across the top horizontal surface away from the opening, a vertical plate proximate the flat top horizontal surface extending downward into a cavity within the hotbox detector having a second opening therethrough to allow the detection device to detect the hot spot on the train, a base beneath the detection device, a drain hole formed therethrough the base, and an elevated-shaped drain cover with a leg to position the drain cover above the hole.

Claims

1. A casing for a hotbox detector scanner that has a detection device disposed within the casing, the casing comprising:

a) a top cover having a flat top horizontal surface with an opening therethrough to allow the detection device to detect a hot spot on a train;

b) a baffle proximate the flat top horizontal surface to divert water blown across the flat top horizontal surface away from the opening;

c) a vertical plate proximate the flat top horizontal surface extending downward into a cavity within the hotbox detector having a second opening therethrough to allow the detection device to detect the hot spot on the train;

d) a base beneath the detection device;

e) a drain hole formed therethrough the base; and

f) an elevated-shaped drain cover with a leg to position the drain cover above the hole.

2. The casing of claim 1 wherein the baffle is positioned on opposing sides of the opening in the flat top horizontal surface.

3. The casing of claim 1 further comprises interwoven strands of a material fixed across the opening in the flat top horizontal surface wherein the strands do not interfere with allowing the detection device to detect a hot spot on the train.

4. The casing of claim 1 wherein the cover prevents water from flowing into the detector and particles from blowing up into the device.

5. The casing of claim 1 wherein the drain cover has a cone-like shape.

6. The casing of claim 1 wherein the top plate, the vertical plate and parts of the detection device form chambers within the casing that have varied sizes and openings.

7. The casing of claim 6 wherein the chambers cause a speed of air passing within the casing to change velocity.

8. The casing of claim 1 wherein the elevated-shaped drain cover minimizes at least one of environmental conditions and weather conditions occurring beneath the base from entering the cavity within the casing.

9. A casing for covering a detection device that is positioned to detect a hot spot on a train, the casing comprising:

a) a base upon which the detection device is placed;

b) a top covering having a flat horizontal top surface and side edges that are proximate the base which together with the base form a cavity;

c) a first opening therethrough the flat horizontal top surface of the top covering through which the detection device detects the hot spot on the train;

d) a vertical plate proximate the top covering and extending downward into the cavity;

e) a second opening formed therethrough the vertical plate through which the detection device detects the hot spot on the train;

f) a plurality of chambers formed within the cavity due to a placement of the vertical plate, the base, the detection device, and the top covering; and

g) a drain hole formed therethrough at least one of the base and the top covering.

10. The casing of claim 9 further comprises an elevated drain hole cover extending into the cavity and creating an opening between a lower edge of the drain hole cover and the drain hole.

11. The casing of claim 10 wherein the elevated drain hole cover is cone-like in shape wherein the cone-like shape extends into the cavity.

12. The casing of claim 10 wherein the underside of the drain hole cover provides a location for at least one of environmental conditions and weather conditions beneath the base to reach without first entering the drain hole.

13. The casing of claim 10 wherein the elevated drain hole cover is elevated by a leg that extends from the lower edge of the drain hole cover.

14. The casing of claim 9 further comprises a baffle proximate the opening in the flat top horizontal surface.

15. A casing for covering a detection device that is positioned to detect a hot spot on a train, the casing comprising:

a) a base upon which the detection device is proximate;

b) a drain hole formed therethrough the base;

c) an elevated drain hole cover extending into the cavity and creating an opening between a lower edge of the drain hole cover and the drain hole;

d) a top covering having a flat horizontal top surface and side edges that are proximate the base which together with the base form a cavity; and

e) a first opening therethrough the flat horizontal top surface of the top covering through which the detection device detects the hot spot on the train.

16. The casing of claim 15 further comprises a vertical plate proximate the top covering and extending downward into the cavity with a second opening formed therethrough the vertical plate through which the detection device detects the hot spot on the train.

17. The casing of claim 16 wherein a plurality of chambers are formed within the cavity due to placement of the vertical plate, the base, the detection device, and the top covering.

18. The casing of claim 15 wherein the elevated drain hole cover is cone-like in shape wherein the cone-like shape extends into the cavity and an underside of the drain hole cover provides a location for at least one of environmental conditions and weather conditions beneath the base to reach without first entering the drain hole.

19. The casing of claim 15 wherein the elevated drain hole cover is elevated by a leg that extends from the lower edge of the drain hole cover.

20. The casing of claim 15 further comprises a baffle proximate the opening in the flat top horizontal surface.